Executive Director’s Message – April 2026
As we welcome April—Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month—we are reminded that these diagnoses can affect some of the most essential parts of daily life: speaking, eating, swallowing and connecting with others. At the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, our focus is not only on treating the cancer, but on supporting the whole person throughout treatment and recovery.
Letter to the Editor
I did 7 weeks of proton therapy. 34 rounds of radiation. It was hard, but the doctors and staff were excellent. This is the best institute I have ever seen or experienced.
John Ogle’s Active Lifestyle Anchored Him During Cancer Journey
His active lifestyle and running routine helped him through a rough time last year when he was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer on his lip.
Three Questions with Dr. Bill Mendenhall
With over 40 years of radiation oncology experience, what advice would you give a person who is newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer and needs radiation?
My Journey with the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
In the spring of 2022, I started noticing something unusual. Breathing through my nose became difficult, and at first, I chalked it up to the usual seasonal allergies. But this time, it felt different.
Community Event for Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors April 23, 2026
A new educational gathering—supported by the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation—focuses on the “what now?” questions after treatment and connects attendees with practical tools and local resources.
National Proton Conference Includes the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in Leading Roles and Recognition
This year’s National Proton Conference (NPC 2026) was held in Nashville, Tenn., and gathered experts in proton therapy from around the country.
Future Patient Access to Proton Therapy is the Focus of NAPT Physician Advisory Committee
I recently had the privilege of representing our institution at the National Association for Proton Therapy's (NAPT) annual conference as a member of the Physician Advisory Committee (PAC).
Latest Research Publications from the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute
Each research study published is one step forward to better understanding cancer and the effectiveness of cancer treatment options.
Blog Spot: Current Evidence on Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
For patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, proton therapy improves survival rates, reduces side effects like dry mouth, mouth soreness and changes in appetite, and has the potential to reduce radiation dose and deintensify treatment because it is so targeted.
Proton Therapy News Brief Roundup – April 2026
- CME Webinar Presented by UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and Global Partners
- Faculty Promotions
- UF Health Cancer Institute Again Recognized as a Florida Cancer Center of Excellence
- Local Students Welcomed for Behind-the-Scenes Tour
- UF College of Medicine Renames Department of Radiation Oncology
- 56th Annual UF Radiation Oncology Research Seminar
Community Calendar
Mark your calendar and join us when we are in a town near you or online.
For patient events at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, go to For Patients & Families for details.
Proton Therapy & Prostate Cancer – Presentation for IslandWalk Academy
Location: IslandWalk Academy, Venice, Florida
The UF Health Proton Therapy Institute will join the IslandWalk Academy for an educational presentation discussing the role of proton therapy radiation in the treatment of prostate cancer. Speaker, Christina Mershell, will discuss pencil beam scanning proton therapy and the research on patient outcomes. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion with three prostate cancer survivors who were treated with proton therapy. If you are interested in joining us for this presentation, contact us via the info below.
For More Info: Contact Christina at (904) 831-4034 or education@floridaproton.org.
Thriving After Breast Cancer: A Day of Hope and Healing
Location: UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL 32206
Did you miss you our Breast Cancer Survivorship Day of Hope & Healing in January? On April 23, 2026, the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute will host their second Thriving After Breast Cancer: A Day of Hope and Healing. This survivorship event will feature speakers, resources and community support for patients and survivors. Join us for an inspiring day designed to uplift survivors and empower those still on their journey. Hope, healing and community are the heart of survivorship, and we are honored to bring these together. Join us if you are a breast cancer survivor currently undergoing treatment or completed treatment years ago! Click here to see details on topics, speakers and our free registration: https://bit.ly/SurvivorshipEvent1
For More Info: Contact Tamara at (904) 588-1293 or tsorrye@floridaproton.org.
Save the Date: Community Appreciation Day
Location: UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, 2015 N. Jefferson St., Jacksonville, FL 32206
As we celebrate 20 years of caring for patients and their families at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, we are excited to welcome the surrounding Jacksonville community and our proton community of alumni for an open house and Community Appreciation Day event on July 25, 2026. We welcome the community to join us for a cake-cutting ceremony, face painting, food trucks, touch-a-truck interactive experience, health screenings and best of all – tours of the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute. Check back for event details and free registration info.
Save the Date: 20th Anniversary Celebration
Location: UF Health Proton Therapy Institute and Omni Amelia Island Resort
Registration Details to Come
We are thrilled to welcome friends of the Institute back to Northeast Florida as we celebrate our 20th Anniversary on October 23-25, 2026. This milestone will be commemorated with a three-day anniversary celebration at the Omni Amelia Island Resort bringing together alumni, families, physicians and staff. Please check back for registration information.
If you are interested in hosting an alumni gathering in your area, or joining a volunteer group for the anniversary, please reach out to Kasey Heilman at Kheilman@floridaproton.org.
Want to keep up-to-date? Enter your email below to be added to our monthly email list.
About This Newsletter
The Precision Newsletter is an electronic-only publication that is distributed by email. Each issue is sent periodically to patients, alumni patients and friends of the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute. As the official newsletter of the Institute, the content is compiled and prepared by our communications
representative and approved by the editor. Special bulletin newsletters may occasionally be prepared when timely topics and new developments in proton therapy occur. If you would like to send a Letter to the Editor, please click here.